Wise finds new landing spot
CRANBERRY TWP — Brenna Wise is transferring to Indiana University of the Big Ten to continue her academic and women’s basketball career.
The Cranberry Township resident and 6-foot forward was a two-year starter at Pitt and averaged 14.3 points per game for the Panthers last season.
She decided to pursue a transfer opportunity shortly after the 2016-17 season ended.
“I don’t regret my decision to go to Pitt agt all,” Wise said. “Pittsburgh is my home and will always be my home. I feel a little nervous about leaving it.
“My decision to transfer was based on my own special goals and personal experiences I want to realize.”
Wise selected Indiana over Villanova, Dayton and Big Ten schools Ohio State and Michigan. She will continue to major in business with an emphasis on markerting.
“Academics played a big part in this decision,” Wise said. “Indiana has one of the best (business) schools in the country.”
The Hoosiers finished 23-11 last season — a program record win total — and reached the quarterfinals of the WNIT. The team has posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history.
Teri Moren will be entering her fourth season as head coach at Indiana.
“It’s an up and coming program, one I want to be part of,” Wise said. “They are looking to take the program to a higher level and that’s what I want, too.”
Wise will have to sit out next season before being eligible to play in 2018-19. She has two years of eligibility remaining.
Indiana returns a second team All-Big Ten selection in Amanda Cahill at Wise’s No. 4 position on the floor. Cahill will be a senior.
“I look forward to learning from her and improving by going up against her every day in practice,” Wise said. “It will be strange not playing next season, but my dad always told me I need to have patience.
“That will definitely be the case next year.”
Another incoming transfer, point guard Ali Patberg from Notre Dame, will be sitting out next season at Indiana as well.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know Ali and then stepping in with her on the court a year from now,” Wise said.
The Hoosiers are excited about Wise coming on board as well.
“We are extremely excited to add Brenna to our roster ... She has a tremendous presence with her ability to play inside and out. Her versatility makes her a really tough match up,” Moren said on the university’s website.
Wise started 61 games at Pitt the past two seasons and was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman team. She averaged 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game that year.
She was a two-time PIAA Class A Player of the Year at Vincentian Academy, scoring 2,331 points and grabbing more than 1,000 rebounds.
